CVE-2024-12441 in BP Email Assign Templates Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2024
The BP Email Assign Templates plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the 'page' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.5 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/18/2025
The BP Email Assign Templates plugin for WordPress presents a critical security vulnerability classified as reflected cross-site scripting that affects all versions up to and including 1.5. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts into the application's response. The flaw specifically manifests through the 'page' parameter which is not properly validated or escaped before being rendered in web pages, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to execute malicious code in the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic reflected XSS pattern where attacker-controlled input flows directly into the application's output without proper sanitization. When an unauthenticated attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script payload in the 'page' parameter and successfully tricks a user into clicking the link, the malicious code becomes embedded in the page response and executes within the victim's browser context. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on use of web shell and malicious script injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, data exfiltration, and redirection to malicious sites. Since the vulnerability affects an unauthenticated attack vector, any user who visits the compromised page becomes a potential victim, making the attack surface particularly broad. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious script is not stored on the server but rather injected dynamically through crafted requests, which makes detection more challenging and the attack more difficult to prevent through traditional server-side filtering mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.6 or later where the sanitization and escaping issues have been addressed. In the interim, administrators can implement input validation at the web application firewall level by filtering the 'page' parameter to reject potentially malicious content including script tags, javascript protocols, and other suspicious input patterns. Additionally, implementing content security policies can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting script execution within the application context. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security auditing of WordPress plugins and maintaining up-to-date software versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to help prevent social engineering attacks that rely on tricking users into clicking malicious links, as the successful exploitation of this vulnerability requires user interaction through clicking on crafted URLs.